UK Heatwave | How to Prepare your Pets for summers

Every year the summers are getting hotter. Temperatures rising and heatwaves becoming more frequent across the UK, Europe, and beyond, which is why the effects of climate change are becoming major cause of concern. That’s why now is the best time to learn how to prepare your pets for UK heatwave.

As we move towards another burning summer, we somehow adjust by staying hydrated and avoiding day time outdoor activities. But our pets usually don’t have these options. This article is all about simple yet effective ways to get your pets prepared for heatwave. So, they stay healthy and happy as always.

How Heatwaves Effect Pets

It is important to understand that animals and birds also feel the heat, just like us, and they often change their way of act to adapt the weather. This behavior is called ‘Thermal Regulatory Behavior’.

Unfortunately, they have limited mechanism to cool themselves. Dogs, cats and birds do not produce sweat like human. Which makes them more inclined to heat stroke. That’s when we have to prepare pets for heatwave. However it is important to discuss the symptoms of heatstroke in pets first.

 

Symptoms Of Heat Stroke in Pets

Here is a detailed discussion how your four legged friends are at risk and what symptoms they show when they are overheated.

Animals

Dogs and cats cool themselves through gasping and producing some sweat from their paws. Other animals like rabbit generally regulates through their large ears.

But this alone is not enough during severe conditions. Symptoms of overheating in pet animals include:

•    Panting
•    Trouble Breathing
•    High Body temperature
•    Lethargy
•    Drooling
•    Restlessness
 

Birds

It is equally important to prevent birds, while we prepare pets for UK summer. Birds can't regulate their body temperature and start to become heat stressed during summer. They don’t have sweat glands therefore their body temperature tends to rise higher than mammals.

•    Hold their wings out keeping them away from the body
•    Mostly keep their beak open
•    Tilt their heads
•    Often panting or peeing on their legs
•    Unable to maintain balance
•    Less coordinated body movements

 

 

How to Prepare your Pets for UK Heatwave

While wild animals have freer will and suitable habitat for thermal regulation. Pets are usually bound in a habitat provided by the owner or pet parent. It is therefore their owners’ duty to take care of them and prepare the pets for heatwave. Here is a detailed guide how you can prevent them

Animals

Most animal pets share your daily life routines with you and that's why putting a little effort will be enough to prepare for summers.

Keep them indoor

The best practice is to keep them indoors mostly. If not, at least the peak sunny time (11am -4pm) should be avoided. 

Make them a shade

If your pet is an outdoor lover, try to minimize direct sun exposure. Buy or make it yourself a safe sun shade that could resist the sunlight. While playing in the garden or backyard take little breaks under this shaded area to avoid sun stress.

Keep them hydrated 

Make sure they have plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Don’t offer warm water instead offer them popsicles, iced treats or cool water to quench the extreme thirst.

Bath them regularly

Nothing treats heat more than water itself. Make it a daily practice to have a good bath with cool water. Speaking about water, a mist fan or water spray can work for them too. Specially during outdoor play keep spraying water in regular intervals to help them stay cool.

Keep your home cool and airy

Try to make your place airy and breathable. Use fans, humidifiers, open windows for fresh air, use air conditioners as much as your pet loves.

Allow them sleep in cool area

Make their sleeping area cool, airy to avoid any heat rise. Their beds should be comfy but avoid using air insulating fabric for bed cover. The air passage will help them stay light and fresh.

Reschedule walk times

Daily walking with your pet is a great thing that should be continued in hot weather too. However just reschedule your walk routine and make it early morning or after sunset.

Cooling mats 

Buy a cooling mat for your pet. Try making them spend more time on this so that they can maintain a good body temperature. 

 

Caged Animals

Your pets that live in cages need a little more care as they are unable to walk freely. Let's break it down for you:

•    Move their cages to shaded and well-ventilated area.
•    Freeze water bottles and put them in their cages.
•    Use ceramic tiles or place cooling mat in their hutches.

 

 

Birds

Birds are more sensitive than animals when it comes to fight against heat. At the same time birds are fragile and need more supervision specially when cooling them down. here is how to do that.

Relocate the Cage

Place the cage in a shady area, better with a ventilation too. Avoid as much sun exposure as possible.

Insulation

If replacing the cage is not possible, mostly in huge aviaries, you can insulate it then and there. Use polyester sheets with layer of aluminum foil. All you have to do is cut it as your required size and stick or tie them up on the roof of aviary. Make sure it is away from the birds’ range so that they don’t eat it.

Regulate Air Flow

Keep it breathable and fresh for your winged pets. Use blade-less fans and portable cooling systems to upgrade the ventilation. Avoid a direct contact of birds with fans that could be injurious for them.

Mist them

Just like their human friends, birds love to get a fresh water spray when they are hot. Place a mist fan in the cage, or spray them up directly to have a fun time together.

Give them fruits

Birds drink less water during heat. To prevent dehydration it is advisable to offer them fruits that have high water content such as grapes, watermelon, cucumber and more.

How to Cure a Heat Stroked Pet

Even after preparing your pets for UK heatwave, your pet can still get ill. Or may be you have a pet that is already heat stroked or heat stressed, here is what you can do to help the poor soul. 

•    Don’t panic, you can handle the situation wisely just don’t lose your cool.

•    Bring him to a cooler place.

•    Let him cool down slowly, sudden temperature change will worsen the condition.

•    Offer him cool (not cold) water.

•    After he gets a little better, spray water or give him a cool shower slowly and gradually.

•    If the condition persists, call a vet immediately.

FAQ

1. Can I give my dog ice cubes during a heatwave?

Definitely, giving dogs ice cubes or frozen treats is a great option to keep them cool.

2. Should I walk my dog during a heatwave?

You should, walking is very healthy activity. Just to be careful, make an early morning or post sunset routine.

3. Can fans or air conditioning help pets?

Yes. Fans help in regulating air, in fact using air conditioner is a better choice to lower body temperatures. Avoid direct cold air on small animals and birds and you will be all good.

4. Is it okay to trim my pet’s fur in summer?

Not recommended, pet fur is a source of insulation for your pets. Trimming a little bit is fine but don’t shave it off completely.

Final Note

With each passing year, the summers in UK keep causing hotter and longer heatwaves. It’s more important than ever to prepare your pets for heatwave challenges. Whether you’re a parent of a dog, cat, bird, or small animal, little steps can make your pets life healthier and more fun. Precaution is better than cure and little precautions like providing shade, fresh water, and avoiding midday heat can avoid health risks. Just get prepared and alert to signs of heat stress, and you will make fun memories with your pet even in such harsh weather conditions.

Have your own tips to prepare pets for summer heatwave? Share in the comments.

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Also read:

Pet Allergies: Identifying and Managing Allergic Reactions

Pet Playtime: Fun and Interactive Toys for Hours of Entertainment